Sampling apparatus



14, 1958 w. s. RICHARDSON ET AL 2,356,158

SAMPLING APPARATUS Filed.Jan. 9, 1956 United States Patent SAMPLING APPARATUS William S. Richardson and Julius L. Fisher, Houston, Tex., assignors to The Texas Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 9, 1956, Serial No. 557,949

1 Claim. (Cl. 255-72) This invention relates generally to a sampling apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for obtaining a bore hole sample as from geomicrobiological prospecting for subterranean deposits of petroleum or gas or for other resources in the surface of the earth.

Among the methods used in prospecting for subterranean deposits of petroleum and gas is one based on the theory of the micro-seep of gaseous hydrocarbons from such deposits which escape gradually and diffuse upwardly into the surface soil. The detection and measurement of the gas content or related characteristics of such soil may indicate the presence of desired deposits below the surface. In the practice of this method, it is proposed to collect some soil samples from the prospect area and subject them to some type of processing to indicate qualitatively the presence or absence of hydrocarbons. In soil samples collected near oil fields, a biological oxidation of gaseous hydrocarbons by the surface accumulation of microorganisms capable of such action has been noted.

In extracting these and other soil samples, care must be taken to insure that they are clean of surface dirt and other matter which may have been picked up during the operation, so that the sample at the desired depth maybe truly representative. The usual depth for sampling has been two feet, which is sufficiently deep to avoid the effects of any surface disturbances resulting from farming activities such as plowing, yet sufiiciently close to the surface to avoid missing the bacteria using the heavier hydrocarbon gases. A working depth limit of four feet has been found as the level to which sufficient oxygen may penetrate to provide for microbiological growth.

In the prior art sampling practice, it has been common to dig to the desired specific depth by means of a large size auger, extending up to 12 inches in diameter, in order to provide access to the hole by a shovel so that the soil sample could be obtained from the Wall of the hole at the depth desired. Since such practice is conducive to erroneous data because of contamination, it is highly desirable to obtain a minimum representative soil sample by direct penetration thereto.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus by which an indicative soil sample may be obtained with the reasonable assurance that such is representative of the depth being sampled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sampling device by which a desired sample of soil at a specific depth may be obtained without the necessity of dividing it from a much larger segment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved bore hole sampling apparatus which will reduce greatly the time required for field sampling.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims when taken in conjunction with the attached drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the imice proved bore hole auger joined to a power take-off source;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the improved auger;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken along line 44 of Fig. 2.

In brief, the present invention is directed to an apparatus by which a small sample of soil may be obtained at a selected depth while the remaining soil of the bore hole is discarded.

With reference to the figures of the drawing, the improved bore hole auger is disclosed generally at. 10, joined to an automatic power take-off assembly 20 such as a portable post hole digging apparatus, through the transmission 30.

The auger 10 comprises a drill stem 11 with a sectionalized portion removed therefrom at 12. As shown, this portion may amount to as much as 50% of the central portion of the drill stem and is surrounded by a helical rib indicated at 13, which ends just beyond the cut out portion at each end of the drill stem 11. At the bottom of the auger 10, there is disclosed a cylindrical. portion at 14, which is adapted to contain the sample and is surrounded by an outwardly projecting cutting flange or edge indicated at 15. This cutting flange or edge substantially encircles the sample-holding portion and takes hold for cutting of the sample prior to the helical rib. A cylindrical portion 16 at the opposite end of the auger serves as a power receiving end, being joined to the transmission by appropriate means.

In the operation of this device, as the cutting edge 15 takes hold of the soil, the bottom edge of anger 10 indicated as 17, which may be shaped for easier penetration, is forced into the soil causing a core to be enclosed within the auger. As the helical rib 13 takes hold and the standard auger excavating action follows, the auger is progressively forced downwardly over the core. When the desired depth is reached, the anger is removed and that part of the core which is not totally enclosed within the auger falls or is knocked out leaving the desired amount as a soil sample held within the cylindrical portion 14. Although the extent of this portion 14 may be varied depending on the amount of sample desired for sampling purposes, the usual volume enclosed amounts to a pint.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as Well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

An apparatus of the post hole auger type for core sampling comprising a cylindrical tubular member having one end adapted to be connected to a source of rotation, another end for retaining a core sample and a body portion therebetween having a side wall opening extending substantially from end to end and being substantially semi-cylindrical, said body portion on its outer surface supporting an uninterrupted helical rib which surrounds said opening and overlaps onto both ends, said end for retaining a core sample supporting an outwardly projecting cutting flange on its outer surface separate from said helical rib and limited in extent so as not to project beyond the bottom edge of the apparatus at the core sample retaining end, the opening in said body portion permitting disposal of that portion of the core in said apparatus beyond said retaining end.

(References on following page) 3 4 References Cited in the file of this patent 1,867,024 Oliver July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,506,474 Tildfin y 1950 2,514,585 Natland July 11, 1950 97,501 1869 2,701,121 Bull Feb. 1, 1955 623,506 Baker 1899 5 2,794,623 Stokes June 4, 1957 1,512,841 Gamble Oct. 21, 1924 

